The best comfort food in the world is what’s most familiar to us. Sure, you can talk about the artistry in gourmet food until you’re blue in the face, and you wouldn’t be wrong, but there are still some gastronomical Old Faithfuls out there that aren’t too fancy but somehow keep you wanting more anyway.
Human beings are creatures of comfort, and there’s a reason why they call some dishes out there “soul food.” A dish of piping hot breaded chicken can bring out a reaction unlike any other, and sometimes all you really need to get you through the day is a thigh part and some fluffy white rice. While there are fastfood chains out there that are fantastic and need no frills, here’s a list of the five best fried chicken places that add their own spins on a classic dish.
Bad Bird
Bad Bird’s menu boasts an award-winning umami fried chicken— taking inspiration from Japanese seasonings like dashi and miso, they’ve liberally dusted their chicken with flavoring and created an explosively delicious taste. Try their Umami Fried Chicken Plate with BB Fresh Corn and Miso (Php 360 for one piece), and you’ll find that the MSG headache is absolutely worth it.
Bad Bird has branches in UP Town Center, BGC Serendra, Robinsons Manila, SM Megamall, and Century City Mall. Check out their Facebook for more details.
Kettle
It could be argued that nobody does fried chicken better than the American South. And while picking favorites is always a matter of taste (literally), there’s still something to be said about the classic crunch of a buttermilk chicken dish. Kettle cheerfully offers that experience to Filipino diners with their Buttermilk Fried Chicken (Php 510) that gives you two pieces of boneless chicken thigh with some buttery cornbread for that ultimate Southern comfort meal.
Kettle can be found in Level 5, East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Contact (02) 654 7077 for more information.
The Pullet
Sometimes you get cravings at weird hours of the night, and when you just can’t find a sit-down restaurant when the desire strikes, The Pullet in Industrie Food Loft has got its doors open for you. The Pullet is perfect for night owls, with doors open at 4pm up to 2am, but what really draws you in is their signature Chicken and Corn on the Cob (Php 218). Their delicious fried chicken is generously dusted with seasoning, and a personal favorite on a menu of incredible comfort food items.
The Pullet can be found at Industrie Food Loft, 2F City Golf Plaza, Julia Vargas Avenue, Pasig City. Contact them on Facebook for more information.
Korean Traditional Chicken
If you’re a little tired of fancy breadings and just want some good ol’ crispy chicken skin and juicy meat, then Korean Traditional Chicken is the place to go. This hole-in-the-wall in Poblacion, Makati, offers you a simple fried chicken (Php 580 for dine in) marinated in Korean spices before being tossed into the fryer. The end result is a spicy, delicious dish, perfect for munching on at the end of a long night.
Korean Traditional Chicken can be found at 5648 Don Pedro Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City. Contact (0917) 4766 611 or (0929) 4779 393 for more information.
Nono’s
In a war for the best fried chicken, sometimes the sides are what pull you to victory. At Nono’s, the Homestyle Fried Chicken (Php 325) is marinated in 12 herbs, and comes with either fluffy white rice or a combo of dinner rolls, French fries, and corn on the cob. Their gravy is a new twist on an old favorite— instead of savory, they opt for a fresher taste with herbs, and paired with the side of honey and the crispiness of the chicken it’s an unforgettable experience.
Nono’s can be found at Level 1, Phase 1B, UP Town Center, Katipunan, Quezon City. Check out their Instagram for more information.
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If you’re looking for more places to eat in the Metro, check out the Food category on Daydreaming in Paradise.
If there’s one thing Jonah De Jesus loves, it’s food. He practically grew up in the kitchen, following his mom around as she put together delicious dishes (although he was sometimes more of a hindrance than a help). Although he eventually ended up taking a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, that love for all things gastronomical followed him well into his adulthood.
When he’s not watching reruns of Parts Unknown or trying to imitate Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen, Jonah spends most of his time scouring Manila for all the newest and best places to eat.
